When the Caregiver Has Blood CancerWhen I retired from teaching in 2017, I wasn't feeling well and was in the process of having several medical tests run. In the last month of school, I told...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments
Some Help With SleepSleep issues are a common side effect of cancer. My daughter Crystal, who had Hodgkin lymphoma, had a lot of trouble sleeping. The disease, as well as the treatment, can...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Thankful for CaregiversDid you know that November is National Family Caregiver Awareness Month? Are you fortunate enough to have a family member or friend who helps with transportation to your blood cancer...Reactions0reactionsComments10 comments
Trying to Step Away from CancerFinding out that you are cured of cancer should be a time to celebrate. When my daughter, Crystal found out she was cured of her blood cancer we all felt...Reactions0reactionsComments36 comments
Chemo and teeth issuesTeeth are such an important part of your body. Take it from one who knows. I’ve had bad teeth for as long as I can remember. The dentist said I...Reactions0reactionsComments21 comments
The Lesson I Learned About GuiltWe are who we are and we can’t be more than that. So why do we feel so guilty sometimes? When I was helping Crystal during her treatments I used...Reactions0reactionsComments18 comments
What I Wish My Caretakers KnewI want to preface this by saying I appreciate each and everything all of my caretakers did for me. Being sick was a new experience for me and those who...Reactions0reactionsComments7 comments
5 Tips To Help When Your Loved One Has CancerMany of us have watched a loved one go through a traumatic experience. Most of us want to jump right in and help, but sometimes, that is not the right...Reactions0reactionsComments19 comments
For the Caregiver: Sometimes You Need To RechargeWe all know that when someone we love has cancer, it’s going to be tough on them. Most of the time, family members will chip in and help where they...Reactions0reactionsComments3 comments
Doing What You CanLife is what happens every day. It’s getting up and going to work. It’s spending time with your family. It’s trying to enjoy all that you can. But then cancer...Reactions0reactionsComments6 comments
Caregiver Tips (Part 3)If you missed it, check out Part 1 and Part 2 of this series. Being a caregiver takes many forms. Sometimes it involves being there for the person you care...Reactions0reactionsComments11 comments
Caregiver Tips (Part 2)If you missed it, check out Part 1 of this series. Taking on the role of caregiver will mean a lot to your loved one, but it is also a...Reactions0reactionsComments11 comments
Lucky to Count a Sister-friend Among My CaregiversI have one biological sister, but I have a lot of sister-friends, and I was lucky that one of the sister-friends and my “birth sister” live in the Boston area...Reactions0reactionsComments10 comments
Here I SitToday was the day for my bi-yearly blood work, CAT scan, and ultrasound. Like many others, I experience the scanxiety that goes along with getting these tests and the long...Reactions0reactionsComments8 comments
Staying as Healthy as Possible (Part 2)As we all know, cancer takes a toll on our bodies. Eating healthy and moving often are two great ways to try to keep ourselves in the best condition we...Reactions0reactionsComments11 comments
Staying as Healthy as Possible (Part 1)Cancer beats up our bodies and then we get treated with some type of chemotherapy, radiation, etc. which beats it up even more. It’s hard to tell which is worse...Reactions0reactionsComments7 comments
Encouraging CaregiverWhen you think of encouragement, you may think of giving someone support and reassurance. This is definitely true and is needed in many cases when you are helping someone you...Reactions0reactionsComments12 comments
The Stress of Being a CaregiverAnytime you care for someone it’s hard. It’s hard for many reasons. Maybe it’s a time thing and now you have even more to do. Perhaps it’s a space thing...Reactions0reactionsComments6 comments
The One Year, Post-Treatment VisitMy daughter, Crystal, was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma when she was just 25 years old. She went through a little over 6 months of treatments, which consisted of 12 rounds...Reactions0reactionsComments7 comments
We Versus I: Forming a Team as Patient and CaregiverMy daughter, Crystal, was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 2016 at the age of 25. It was one of the hardest times in our lives. My husband and I were...Reactions0reactionsComments12 comments